-^-for posterity-^-

light gusts of wind blow across the mekong during the dry season. i’m not a meteorologist so i have no idea why. i only know that the breezes are cool and that they make the unbearable head bearable.

the light breezes allow for kite flying. when we sit on the roof of our apartment bulding we can see a number of kites hanging in the sky teathered to the ground by an invisible string.

most of the kites are made at home. some kids find a nice sheet of clear plastic, a couple of sticks and tape them all together. these kites have a way of soaring in the sky that’s incredible. they look like an old trashbag that’s been caught in an updraft.

there are also kites for buying. kites for those who don’t have the time or ability to make them. jack and i bought a kite. it’s a pink, green and orange masterpiece. it’s made into the shape of a large, predatory bird and was colored by someone who didn’t know what they were doing. the feathers are blue the head is red the body is white and the feet are fluorescent green. the rest of the kite is an odd amalgamation of green, orange and pink. it’s not hard to miss.

we’ve tried to fly it a number of times but can’t seem to get it airborne. we run and run but never have enough space. it takes off for a bit but then falls sheepishly. we’re not kite flyers.

some kids run in front of our apartment building during the day with their home made kites. we found one on the ground the other day that wasn’t larger than my palm. it was made out of newspapers and straws and there was a ten foot string attached.

it's nice to think of kites instead of war.